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An Impeccable Track Record of 38 Years of Scientific Achievements in Health and Longevity

Life Extension has led the world uncovering new ways to prevent and treat the diseases of aging since 1980. We’ve unveiled innovative treatment protocols in our Life Extension Magazine® years before they were recognized by conventional medicine. Today, many of the advances we’ve championed have become standard medical practice. Below is a chronology of those advances and achievements, spanning over an incredible four decades.

1980s

In 1980, Life Extension recommended that healthy people consume high doses of antioxidant vitamins to maintain their health. Since then, hundreds of studies have been published in prestigious journals documenting the role of antioxidants in protecting against disease. Interestingly, some studies show that modest doses of antioxidants are relatively ineffective, whereas the more potent antioxidant plant extracts that Life Extension introduced long ago have demonstrated profound results in human clinical studies in both the prevention and reversal of common age-related disorders.

In 1981, Life Extension recommended the hormone DHEA to slow aging. There are now hundreds of published papers substantiating DHEA’s youth promoting properties. DHEA has become one of the most popular anti-aging supplements and Life Extension’s dosing protocols enable people to derive optimal benefits from it.

In 1981, Life Extension recommended B-complex vitamins to lower homocysteine blood levels. Homocysteine is now recognized as a risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Customers have been keeping their homocysteine levels low by taking folic acid, Vitamin B12, trimethylglycine (TMG), and vitamin B6.

In 1983, Life Extension recommended the use of low-dose aspirin on a daily basis to prevent vascular disease. Cardiologists in the United States now prescribe low-dose aspirin to protect against a heart attack in cardiac patients.

In 1983, Life Extension warned against the intake of supplemental iron because of studies showing that excessive iron causes cancer. In 1988, the New England Journal of Medicine published an article showing that men with high levels of iron had a 40% increase in their overall risk of cancer.

In 1983, Life Extension was the first organization in the world to recommend the Japanese cardiac drug coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) as an anti-aging nutrient. The use of high-dose CoQ10 in the United States is enabling people with congestive heart failure to resume normal lives because this nutrient significantly boosts cardiac energy output. High-dose CoQ10 also has been shown to significantly slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease. A breakthrough in the field of anti-aging medicine occurred in 2006 with the publication of a study showing that ubiquinol form of CoQ10 slowed aging in middle-aged, senescent-accelerated mice by 40%. Ubiquinol CoQ10 is what most Life Extension customers now supplement with.

In 1985, Life Extension published an article suggesting that the progression of AIDS could be slowed by vitamin supplementation. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) raided Life Extension’s premises in 1987 because the agency at that time did not believe that nutrition had anything to do with HIV progression. In the April 1995 issue of FDA Consumer, the FDA recommended vitamin supplements to slow the progression of AIDS — and a federal judge eventually forced the FDA to return everything it seized from Life Extension in 1987. Since we published the article in 1985, hundreds of published studies have shown that the proper nutrient supplementation can dramatically slow the progression of the immune system decline that leads to AIDS.

In 1985, Life Extension introduced lycopene, as a dietary supplement for the purpose of preventing some forms of cancer. Lycopene is now accepted as one of the components of plants that has cancer-prevention properties.

In 1985, Life Extension recommended the drug cimetidine (Tagamet®) as an adjuvant cancer therapy. Since then, published studies reveal that this drug (most commonly associated with heartburn relief) can reduce the recurrence of certain cancers by as much as 79%.

In 1986, Life Extension recommended low doses of a European drug, called deprenyl, as a potential anti-aging therapy. The FDA eventually approved deprenyl in higher doses to treat Parkinson’s disease but has yet to recognize the anti-aging effects that low doses of this drug produce in healthy people.

In 1986, Life Extension recommended the broad-spectrum anti-viral drug ribavirin to treat lethal viral infections. Twelve years later the FDA approved ribavirin as a treatment for Hepatitis C.

In 1988, Life Extension introduced phosphatidylserine to improve memory and slow brain aging. At a scientific conference on anti-aging medicine held in December 1997, phosphatidylserine was the hottest topic of discussion by speakers who were lecturing to 1,500 physicians about how to slow the aging process.

1990s

In 1991, Life Extension sued the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) because the FDA failed to approve Tacrine (THA) to treat Alzheimer’s disease. While the lawsuit was dismissed on technical grounds, it forced the FDA to finally approve THA seven years after it was shown in a New England Journal of Medicine report to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

In 1992, Life Extension introduced melatonin to the American public based on overwhelming evidence that this natural hormone is an effective anti-aging therapy. After several books were published extolling melatonin’s multiple benefits, every health food store in the United States began selling it in 1995.

In 1994, Life Extension warned that the commonly prescribed estrogen and synthetic progestin drugs could increase breast and ovarian cancer risk. Findings published years later confirmed these dangers. The natural hormone-balancing approaches long recommended by Life Extension have been shown to decrease common female cancers.

In 1996, Life Extension published the first book that integrated hormone replacement, high-dose nutrient supplementation, prescription drugs, and conventional medical treatments for the purpose of preventing and treating 110 diseases that were not being effectively treated by conventional medicine alone.

In 1996, Life Extension revealed the crucial importance of monitoring blood levels of fibrinogen, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke. Since then, numerous studies have confirmed that high levels of fibrinogen are indeed a heart attack and stroke risk factor, just like high cholesterol levels.

In 1996, Life Extension founded the first mail-order blood screening service that offered state-of-the-art tests for age-related diseases directly to the public.

In 1997, Life Extension published a new theory on why cells malfunction as they age (decline in DNA methylation), and introduced several therapies that could help aging cells to rejuvenate. These therapies, which have been documented by hundreds of studies, are currently being prescribed for the treatment of depression, liver disease and atherosclerosis.

In 1997, Life Extension recommended that certain patients temporarily take a combination of statin and COX-2 inhibiting drugs to inhibit cancer cell growth. Since then, several studies have confirmed the anti-cancer effects of these drugs that are not commonly associated with cancer therapy.

In 1997, Life Extension warned about the dangers of taking only the “alpha tocopherol” form of vitamin E. Since then, a number of published studies confirmed that aging people would benefit by also taking the “gamma tocopherol” form of vitamin E that Life Extension has long advocated.

In 1997, Life Extension introduced a European discovery called s-adenosyl-methionine (SAMe) that safely alleviated depression, arthritis and certain liver disorders. A Harvard study published in 2010 showed that the use of SAMe increased the response rate to conventional anti-depressant drugs by 105%!

In 1998, Life Extension introduced to the United States a natural herbal supplement (nettle root extract) that has been used for more than ten years in Europe to relieve the symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy.

In 1998, the FDA approved the anti-viral drug ribavirin for use in Hepatitis C patients. Life Extension fought the FDA for 12 years to force them to approve this lifesaving medication.

In 1998, Life Extension warned how excess estrogen levels in aging men may be a causative factor in the development of prostate cancer and provided easy and safe methods to mitigate these effects.

In 1998, Life Extension introduced Americans to a Japanese drug called methylcobalamin, a form of vitamin B12 that was particularly effective in protecting the brain against damaging excitotoxicity and also reversing the course of certain neurological disorders.

In 1999, Life Extension showed how vitamin C may prevent nitroglycerin drug intolerance in patients with coronary artery disease.

In 1999, Life Extension showed how certain FDA-approved estrogen drugs may not protect against heart disease. A few years later, these very drugs were shown to increase cardiovascular disease in women.

2000s

In 2000, Life Extension revealed how COX-2 inhibiting drugs could increase pro-inflammatory factors in the body, potentially leading to permanent joint damage and vascular disease. In 2004, one of these drugs (like Vioxx®) was taken off the market because of increased risks of heart attack in those who took it. For the COX-2 inhibiting drugs (like Celebrex®) that remain on the market, black-box warnings are now placed on their label cautioning about increased heart attack risk when using these drugs.

In 2000, Life Extension unveiled a European therapy (polyenylphosphatidylcholine) that may protect against fatty liver disease and Hepatitis C, alleviate pancreatitis and ease drug-induced gastric toxicity.

In 2000, Life Extension sponsored a bill that was passed and signed into law that enabled Americans to obtain lower-cost prescription drugs from other countries. (This bill was later sabotaged by the FDA.)

In 2000, Life Extension introduced a combination therapy used in Europe to boost cognitive function and that may alleviate the symptoms of senility.

In 2000, Life Extension conducted original research using carotid ultrasound tests to show that people taking high doses of antioxidants over an extended period of time may be protected against atherosclerosis.

In 2000, Life Extension introduced customers to revolutionary research to transform cloned stem cells into tissues to replace diseased ones.

In 2001, Life Extension introduced high-dose carnosine to prevent the formation of advanced glycation end-products, a key molecular mechanism linked to premature aging and diabetic complications.

In 2001, Life Extension funded research to identify genes linked to aging, versus those that act to extend life. This research has led to the discovery of agents that mimic the longevity-promoting effects of calorie restriction.

In 2001, Life Extension published methods of suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines that contribute to the development of multiple degenerative diseases.

In 2001, Life Extension recommended a drug to treat Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease called memantine that had been used in Germany since 1991, but was not FDA approved. The FDA approved memantine 2.5 years later.

In 2002, Life Extension documented that a large number of Americans are needlessly dying of anemia and provided definitive methods to guard against this disorder.

In 2002, Life Extension showed that doctors are overlooking thyroid hormone deficiency because of the improper interpretation of a common blood test.

In 2002, Life Extension introduced methylselenocysteine, the form of selenium found naturally in garlic and broccoli that protects against mammary tumor development.

In 2003, Life Extension advised customers to stock up on an anti-viral drug called Tamiflu® in case they were exposed to the common flu virus. Two years late, the world became so frightened about a potential SARS virus pandemic that Tamiflu® disappeared from pharmacy shelves worldwide. Customers who heeded Life Extension’s early warning already had their personal supply of Tamiflu® in their medicine cabinet.

In 2003, Life Extension introduced the first therapeutic program to slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease.

In 2003, Life Extension published research showing that topical and orally ingested antioxidants can prevent and reverse skin aging.

In 2003, Life Extension revealed an effective strategy for reducing the frequency and intensity of debilitating migraine headaches by restoring hormone balance.

In 2003, Life Extension warned that eating foods cooked at high temperatures (over 250 degrees Fahrenheit) promoted weight gain and damaged the body’s proteins in a way that accelerated the aging process.

In 2003, Life Extension discovered that the drug metformin could mimic many of the beneficial effects of calorie restriction. The findings from Life Extension’s study were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

In 2003, Life Extension introduced a plant extract to protect against DNA mutations and neutralize carcinogens.

2004–2006: Osteoporosis, Fish Oil Supplements, Diabetes

In 2004, Life Extension warned of the hidden dangers of osteoporosis in men.

In 2004, Life Extension introduced a novel fiber that reduces after-meal insulin release and limits carbohydrate absorption.

In 2004, Life Extension reported that optimal glucose levels should be lower than current guidelines to reduce heart attack risk by 40%. Soon after, national standards for the upper-scale limit of blood glucose were lowered, but still not to the lower levels recommended by Life Extension.

In 2005, Life Extension conducted a clinical study showing that sesame lignans significantly enhance the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of gamma tocopherol. Furthermore, Life Extension reported that standardized sesame seed lignans increase vitamin E activity and enhance the benefits of borage and fish oil supplements.

In 2005, Life Extension announced the startling finding that PSA (prostate-specific antigen) itself could promote prostate cancer and provided novel methods to lower PSA levels in aging men.

In 2005, Life Extension revealed how olive fruit polyphenols could boost beneficial HDL.

In 2005, Life Extension conducted a clinical study showing that an orally ingested agent could naturally increase superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase in the body. SOD and catalase are naturally produced antioxidants that are more potent than orally ingested antioxidants.

In 2005, Life Extension reported on a powerful phytochemical that suppresses the growth of prostate cancer cells. Derived from milk thistle extract, this novel compound, isosilybin B, may also protect the prostate gland by reducing the secretion of PSA.

In 2005, The National Academy of Sciences released a report confirming Life Extension’s position that X-rays at any dose pose health risks to humans.

In 2005, Life Extension alerted the public to the disease-causing toxins present in fish, and provided a strategy for safely capturing the health-promoting benefits of fish oil.

In 2005, Life Extension reported the startling news that conventional sunscreens may not prevent skin cancer and revealed how you can help protect yourself against skin cancer using topical antioxidants.

In 2005, Life Extension uncovered data showing that blueberry extract can help reverse the memory and motor impairments associated with aging.

In 2005, Life Extension revealed an effective strategy for reducing the frequency and intensity of debilitating migraine headaches using an herbal extract from Europe, and for restoring youthful hormones balance.

In 2006, Life Extension introduced a novel method of capturing the health-promoting benefits of caloric restriction without hunger.

In 2006, Life Extension revealed a new method for lowering homocysteine levels that fail to respond to standard nutritional therapies.

In 2006, Life Extension set forth a comprehensive strategy for guarding against metabolic syndrome, a deadly, often-overlooked condition that drastically increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and diabetes.

In 2006, Life Extension revealed why vegetarians do not live that much longer than meat-eaters and how easy it is to correct this problem by supplementing with one critical nutrient (carnosine).

In 2006, Life Extension exposed how drug companies are seeking to shut down compounding pharmacies that offer Americans access to safer and less expensive drugs.

In 2006, Life Extension warned readers about an FDA-approved fish oil drug that is priced 797% higher than what consumers pay for the same amount of EPA/DHA in supplement form.

In 2006, Life Extension presented a summary of cumulative findings showing how the proper intake of a plant extract could reverse atherosclerosis and slow the progression of prostate cancer.

In 2006, Life Extension identified how one missing plant extract was responsible for the epidemic of macular degeneration afflicting aging humans.

In 2006, Life Extension introduced a form of coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinol) that is vastly superior to commercial CoQ10 supplements in absorbing into the human bloodstream, reducing fatigue and slowing age-related markers.

In 2006, Life Extension published findings about how cruciferous vegetable extracts may prevent certain human cancers.

In 2006, Life Extension uncovered findings to show that new stem cell formation can be promoted in the body by ingesting commonly available nutrients.

In 2006, Life Extension exposed how the American FDA was attempting to censor truthful information about the health benefits of fruits and vegetables.

In 2007, Life Extension revealed how ubiquinol CoQ10 reversed congestive heart failure in cases where conventional CoQ10 was shown to be ineffective.

In 2007, Life Extension ascertained what dose of green tea was required to protect against certain cancers and vascular diseases, and why drinking only a few cups of green tea a day is not enough.

In 2007, Life Extension showed how cancer cells lurk in the prostate glands of many aging men, and how to inhibit an enzyme (5-lipoxygenase) that enables these isolated malignant cells to develop into full-blown prostate cancer.

In 2007, Life Extension showed that those drinking bottled water were at significant risk of a lethal magnesium deficiency.

In 2007, Life Extension revealed one overlooked reason why humans contract the flu much more frequently in winter months and what could be done to guard against this.

In 2007, Life Extension revealed published findings about how people with higher blood levels of vitamin E slashed their risk of dying over a 19-year period and showed that it was not possible to attain adequate vitamin E levels through diet alone.

In 2007, Life Extension unveiled a comprehensive program to sharply reduce the high cost of prescription drugs while also protecting consumers against dangerous side effects.

In 2007, Life Extension showed for the first time how Coumadin® (warfarin) drug users could safely benefit from low-dose vitamin K. Most doctors still tell their Coumadin® patients to avoid even foods that contain vitamin K, whereas Life Extension showed that most Coumadin® users can benefit from consistent low-dose vitamin K, which can help stabilize coagulation markers in the blood while protecting against arterial calcification and bone density loss — two common side effects associated with this drug.

In 2007, Life Extension showed that low blood levels of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA are independent risk factors for heart attack and angina.

In 2007, Life Extension exposed how pharmaceutical special interests were seeking to ban over-the-counter sales of DHEA so they could sell this safe, anti-aging hormone as a prescription drug. Life Extension customers inundated Congress with protests and prevented DHEA from being removed from the supplement marketplace.

In 2007, Life Extension uncovered five anti-cancer drugs that the FDA was not approving, despite human clinical studies documenting both safety and efficacy. Life Extension organized patient advocate groups to contact their members of Congress to protest the unjust denial of these medications to terminally ill cancer patients.

In 2007, Life Extension alerted its customers about the potential danger of inhaled insulin drug therapy. The company making this drug soon took it off the market.

In 2007, Life Extension compiled data showing that supplementing with higher-dose vitamin D could significantly reduce the risk of the most common age-related disorders, including cancer, chronic inflammation and heart disease. A letter was sent to the President of the United States asking that a national emergency be declared to urge every adult to consume at least 1000 IU a day of vitamin D. Life Extension also offered to donate 50,000 one-year-supply bottles of vitamin D to the federal government to give to those who could not afford this low-cost supplement.

In 2007, Life Extension showed how mainstream oncologists are failing to optimally prescribe FDA-approved therapies and offered a practical solution for cancer patients to consider.

In 2007, Life Extension reported on an enhanced form of ubiquinol CoQ10 that was shown to absorb into the blood even better than the ubiquinol Life Extension had introduced to the world just one year prior.

In 2007, Life Extension unveiled its multi-pronged scientific research program to more efficiently develop new cancer drugs.

In 2008, Life Extension revealed how the consumption of specific plant lignans can slash prostate cancer risk.

In 2008, Life Extension published the “Seven Pillars to Successful Weight Loss” that identified why virtually all fat-loss programs fail and provided a comprehensive scientific rationale to induce weight loss in aging humans.

In 2008, Life Extension published confirmatory data that radiation from medical X-rays and especially highly radioactive CAT scans increase risk of cancer.

In 2008, Life Extension published data showing why more Americans are depressed, overweight and suffer sleep disturbances than ever before. Life Extension then revealed a novel method to enable tryptophan supplements to safely increase brain serotonin to improve mood, decrease carbohydrate craving and facilitate restful sleep.

In 2008, Life Extension found itself in the unusual position of defending the proper use of statin drugs in high-risk patient groups when the media misinterpreted some scientific reports. Most customers, however, find they can achieve optimal cholesterol, LDL and HDL using safer natural approaches, rather than drugs.

In 2008, Life Extension issued a meticulous rebuttal to the FDA’s attack against bio-identical hormones and provided a scientific rationale for using natural testosterone and estrogen to reverse certain manifestations of aging.

In 2008, Life Extension published a report titled “The FDA Indicts Itself,” where for the first time the FDA itself admitted it was scientifically incapable and incompetent to keep up with medical discoveries.

In 2008, Life Extension uncovered an orally ingested supplement that protects the skin from solar radiation.

In 2008, Life Extension announced a startling breakthrough whereby the clinical course of Alzheimer’s disease was reversed. Then it announced it was funding an expanded research program to validate the remarkable cognitive improvements observed in Alzheimer’s patients receiving this novel drug therapy.

In 2008, Life Extension uncovered topical agents being used in Europe to reverse the outward appearance of cellulite.

In 2008, Life Extension launched a political campaign to radically overhaul the FDA. Life Extension’s position paper revealed how the FDA is the major impediment to life-saving advances in medicine.

In 2009, Life Extension analyzed 13,892 blood tests measuring 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in a group of dedicated supplement users and discovered that 85.7% had insufficient vitamin D status. This unprecedented analysis of achieved vitamin D serum levels in a large group of high-dose supplement users reveals that most aging people require a dose of 5,000 IU or higher of this critical disease-preventing nutrient.

In 2009, Life Extension uncovered a glaring omission by most in the conventional medical establishment and verified Life Extension’s previous recommendations that those developing any symptom of influenza, swine flu or even the common cold should implement immediate treatment with specific nutrients, hormones, and antiviral drugs with the objective of eradicating the infectious agent within 24 hours of the first symptom appearing.

In 2009, Life Extension introduced an oral form of cyanocobalamin vitamin B12 that absorbs up to 10 times better.

In 2009, Life Extension cut through the heated debate on statin drugs and revealed why the Vytorin® trial failed to live up to conventional medicine’s expectations. In this rare instance, Life Extension found itself defending the interest of a pharmaceutical company that appeared to be too overwhelmed by negative media coverage to put this study in proper scientific context.

In 2009, Life Extension reiterated its long-standing position that inadequate vitamin D intake was directly responsible for millions of needless deaths.

In 2009, Life Extension introduced Americans to a non-invasive diagnostic procedure available in Europe to detect the presence of small, and otherwise undetectable, lymph node lesions in patients with cancer.

In 2009, Life Extension revealed how the FDA is in worse shape than anyone ever imagined and spearheaded a new public relations drive to raise the public’s awareness of the state-sponsored “carnage” of the American citizenry.

In 2009, Life Extension documented how the public suffers widespread deficiencies of nutrients (like selenium, vitamins C, D, and E) while the mainstream media alleged that these same nutrients provide no health benefits. Life Extension then meticulously exposed how horrifically flawed studies were used to support the media’s baseless assertions.

In 2009, obese Americans were shown for the first time to outnumber those who are merely overweight. Life Extension published overlooked research findings indicating substantial fat-loss effects in response to the proper use of bioidentical hormones, certain prescription drugs, and nutrients, along with lifestyle changes. The reason these proven weight-loss strategies have still not caught on, Life Extension asserted, is that when used in isolation, they often fail to meet the expectations of corpulent individuals. In an eye-opening report, Life Extension revealed how to interpret blood test results to utilize an armada of medications, natural hormones, and lifestyle alterations that can safely induce substantial and sustainable weight loss.

In 2009, a proven anti-glycating nutrient especially beneficial for diabetic-related kidney disease (pyridoxamine) was banned by the FDA. In this instance, the FDA bowed to pharmaceutical financial interests by reclassifying this natural B-vitamin as a drug. Life Extension uncovered how the FDA’s politically biased decision may condemn millions to needless suffering and organized a protest to The White House seeking to reverse the FDA’s heinous capitulation to a pharmaceutical company.

In 2009 in a shocking exposé, Life Extension uncovered how a corrupt regulatory system causes generic drug prices to be far higher than they should be. A free market solution was then proposed that would save consumers up to 94% on generic drugs, slashing prices in some cases to only pennies a day!

In 2009, Life Extension unveiled new blood test ranges to optimally reduce one’s risk of suffering a heart attack and stroke. Contrary to conventional medicine, these new science-based blood test ranges enable aging humans to slash their odds of contracting vascular disease.

In 2009, absurd lies promulgated by Big Pharma and enforced with FDA police-state powers were causing females to be prescribed dangerous hormone drugs instead of bioidentical hormones long recommended by Life Extension. To educate the media, physicians, and academia, Life Extension published a meticulously documented White Paper that assembled a plethora of research indicating that women may safely benefit from individual doses of natural estrogens and progesterone combined with healthy lifestyles.

In 2009, Life Extension analyzed results from 13,892 blood tests in customers who had their levels of vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D) evaluated over an 18-month period. The results revealed a startling 85% of these supplement users had insufficient levels (under 50 ng/mL) of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. This revelation enabled Life Extension® customers to increase their intake of this low-cost vitamin to 5,000–10,000 IU each day to achieve optimal levels of this health-protecting nutrient.

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